Washington freshman Shawn Kemp, Jr. tore the patella tendon in his right knee and will miss six to eight weeks, the school announced Tuesday.

Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar said he anticipates having the 6-9 forward back on the court in time for Pac-12 play. The optimism is based on a prognosis of rest from Washington doctors who determined Kemp’s injury does not require surgery.

"It doesn't impact that rotation, but it impacts a guy that was turning the corner," Romar told The Seattle Times. "An offensive weapon. We thought he was really playing good. He had become probably our best low-post threat in terms of big. It takes away from what we were doing early."

Kemp Jr., the son of former NBA star Shawn Kemp, remained positive about his return, speaking in the affirmative when asked if he would return for Washington’s conference opener against Washington State on Jan. 5.

"Oh, I'll be back by then, yeah," Kemp said.

Romar expects Kemp to recover and contribute to Washington this season as well, but he also sees the injury as a setback to Kemp and Washington’s overall growth for the season.

"But it impacts a guy that was turning the corner in becoming an offensive weapon," Romar said. "He had become probably our best low-post threat in terms of bigs.

"It takes away from what we were doing earlier, because he was playing really well."